Russian leader claims “mutual understanding” with Washington as talks falter on ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that the United States is beginning to “listen” to Moscow’s position on the Ukraine war, suggesting that a “mutual understanding” has been reached with Washington over how to end the conflict now in its fourth year.
Speaking in Beijing after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin told Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico that Russia was encouraged by signs of constructive dialogue with the Trump administration. “Now we see this mutual understanding, it’s noticeable,” he said. “We are very happy about this and hope this constructive dialogue will continue.”
Fico, a vocal critic of Western sanctions on Russia and of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is the only European leader scheduled to attend China’s Victory Day parade on Wednesday. His meeting with Putin underscores divisions within Europe over how to approach the war.
Tensions Between Moscow and the West
Putin’s comments follow his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska last month, where Trump claimed “great progress” had been made despite no agreement on ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Washington has simultaneously sought to tighten pressure on Moscow, including by imposing tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil.
While Putin insisted Russia has no objection to Ukraine’s European Union membership, he reiterated that NATO accession is a “red line.” “As for NATO, this is another issue … Our position here is well known: we consider this unacceptable for ourselves,” he said.
The Kremlin has also stressed that any long-term security guarantees for Ukraine must involve Russia directly. “It seems to me that there is an opportunity to find consensus here,” Putin told Fico.
Prospects for Ceasefire Talks
Despite Putin’s optimism, Western leaders remain skeptical. European officials argue that Moscow is not serious about peace and warn that any Russian victory could embolden further aggression against NATO states.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday proposed Geneva as a venue for potential ceasefire talks, following Trump’s push for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, dozens of European nations gathered under a French-British initiative to discuss Ukraine’s post-war security arrangements.
Negotiations remain deadlocked, with Russia demanding to retain occupied territories and Ukraine refusing to cede land. European allies continue to back Kyiv’s stance, resisting any settlement that legitimizes Russian control over captured regions.